Pear coring machine



March 11, 1952 ALTMAN 2,588,790

PEAR CORING MACHINE Filed July 23, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 .ZZdZZi/ZQFLINVENTOR BY 7 I I I ATTORNEYS March 11, 1952 E, ALTMAN ,588,

PEAR CORING MACHINE Filed July 25, 1947 6 SheetsSheet 2 Z 12 12mmINVENTOR I BY I n I I ATTORNEYS March 11, 1952 Filed July 25, 1947 E.ALTMAN PEAR CORING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Z'. dZZmJz INVENTOR I BY 1 z1 ATTORNEYS,

March 11, 1952 E. ALTMAN PEAR CORING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July25, 1947 4 g 2 J 2% n nu 7 1 l.. a; w MW 0 {n a N g O M w o w. a W gm 6M INV ENTOR ATTORNEYS.

March 11, 1952 ALTMAN 2,588,790

PEAR CORING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 jg. .i 'g'. .9.

Filed July 23, 194'? Z. fllzmm O7 96 1 5 .20. INVENTOR BY 7 I IATTORNEYS.

March 11, 1952 E. ALTMAN PEAR CORING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed July23, 1947 'INVENTQR ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 11, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT 4 Claims.

By way of explanation, it might be stated that the recognized method ofpreparing fruit, ,particularly pears for canning, is to cut the fruit inhalves and core the fruit by hand.

This method is exceptionally slow andtedious and the operatorsfrequently injure their hands should the knife slip during the cuttingand coring operation.

It is therefore the primary object of the present invention,.to providea machine wherein the pears to be prepared for canning, are positioned,by hand, and mechanical means provided for cutting the pears into halvesand coring the pears.

An important object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter including an endless chain of cups or receptacles into whichthe pears are dropped, mechanical means being provided for properlycentering the pears for the slicing operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide means in the form of cups,which receive the halves of the pears, means being provided for properlycentering the halves of pears so that they will be in direct alignmentwith the coring blades, for properly coring the sections of the pearspassing through the machine.

Figure is an enlarged elevational view illusf trating one of the coringblades together Withfillza associated pdjusting ring, the adjusting ringbeing shown in section.

Figure 11 is a bottom plan view illustrating ai coring blade and itsguide member.

Figure 12 is an elevational view illustrating one of the centering pinsas contacting a pear to center the pear for contact by the slicingblades.

Figure 13 is an elevational view illustrating the slicing blades andblossom drilling member as moving through a I dotted lines.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details ofconstruction and combinations .of parts, hereinafter more fullydescribed and pointed out in the claims, it being understood thatchanges may be'made in the construction and arrangement of parts withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevational view of aslicing and coring machine, constructed in accordance.

with theinvention.

Figure 2 is a plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the ma.- chine.

Figure 4 is a sectional view takenon line 4-4 of Figure 1. a

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 vis a perspective view illustrating oneof the slicing bladesand a blossom removing drill, associated therewith. Figure '7 is asectional view taken on line '!.1 of Figure'5.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Figure 5.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 ofFigure4.

Figure 14 is a fragmental sectional viewillustrating one of the corerblades'as operating to remove the core of the fruit, the blade beingshown as operating through the centering. ring.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the "machine forming the subjectmatter of theepresent invention, comprises a frame embodying corneruprights 5 and intermediate uprights Garranged the frame, the'uprightsbeing on opposite sides of connected by the spaced parallel side bars 1.

The uppermost bars I are longer thanthe ad- 1, the ends thereofextending uprights 5 at one endof the jacent lower bars beyond thecorner frame, as clearly shown by Figure 1 of the drawings, where theytheir upper ends while the lower being disposed abovethe bars '1, endsof the bars 8 are extended rearwardlyas at 9, where they aresecuredtothe uprights 5 at one end of the frame. Transverse bars I!)connect the uprights 5 at this end ofthe frame to provide anexceptionally rigid structure.

Connecting the bars 8 and 5 at one end of the- H on whichthebearbearings I2 accommodating the shaft l3 which carries the sprocketsframe are horizontal bars ings I 2 are mounted, the

M at its ends.

As shown by Figure 2 of the drawings, theshaft l5 at the opposite end ofthe machine, provides a support for the sprockets thereto to rotatetherewith. are in a line with the sprockets l4 relation with respect toeach other.

These bars provide supports for the groups of cups 20, each groupembodying an intermediate.

cup 2| formed with slots thereof, and lateral cups 22 on opposite sides23. Since these cups of the bars I9 are arranged inlines, it willbeseen" OFFICE 1 pear, the pear being shown in are connected with the bars8, 7

I6 that are secured; These sprockets l6" an fQV the support for theendless chains Hand [8 that spaced relation with respect.

and I 8 l9 that;

spaced that they provide endless lines of lateral cups 23, and anendless line of intermediate cups 2|. As clearly shown by Figure 1 ofthe drawings, the uprights 6 as well as the uprights at opposite sidesof the frame, extend appreciable distances above the bars 1, where theupper ends thereof are connected by means of the bars 24 that are heldin spaced relation with respect to each other, by means of the bars 25.p

The upper ends of the bars 5 at one end of the frame are inclinedrearwardly at 5' and connect with the bars 24 and act as a further bracefor the super frame on which the motor and gearing employed in operatingthe machine, are mounted.

Connecting the cross bars 24, are supporting bars 26 on which the motor21 is mounted, the motor 21 having a pulley 28 mounted on its shaft 29,which pulley transmits movement to the shaft 30, through the belt 3i,which belt 3| also operates over the pulley 32 secured to one end of theshaft-30.- The shaft 30 is provided with a pulley 33-which transmitsmovement tothe pulley 34. through the belt 35 that is shown as operatingthereover, the pulley 34 being mounted on one end of the shaft 36 onwhich the pulleys 31 are secured;

Also secured to the shaft 39,. is a pulley 36 which transmits movementto the shaft 39, through the pulley 46 and belt 41. The shaft 35 ismounted in the bearings 42 and has the sprocket 43 secured to one endthereof, the sprocket- 43 transmitting movement to the sprocket 44mounted on the shaft 45, through the chain 46. On one end of the shaft45 is a sprocket 41 which transmits movement to the sprocket'46 throughthe medium of the chain 49 which operates thereover.

As clearly shown by Figure 2 of the drawings, the sprocket 4-8 ismounted on one end of the shaft56-thatextends across the superframe, oneend of the shaft 50 being supplied with the sprocket 5| that transmitsmovement to the shaft 52, through the medium of the sprocket 53 mountedon one end of the shaft 52, and the chain 54 which'operates over thesprockets 5i and 53. Secured to the shaft 52, to rotate therewith,- areearn discs 55, which discs are so located that when they rotate, theywill contact with the rollers 56 which are secured to the upper bar 51of the movable cutter blade frame which moves adjacent to the stationarybars 58" of the main frame.

The frame also includes the angle bar 6| disposed in parallel spacedrelation with the bar 58-, the bar 6! being braced by the brace irons 62that are secured to the bar BI and have their upper ends connected tothe bar 51, by means of the rods 63.

As will be seen, due to this construction, the cam discs will operate toforce the blade frame downwardly, as the shaft 56 is rotated. Coiledsprings indicated by the reference character 64 provide a connectionbetween the upper bar 62' and the lower bars 58 and 6| of the movableframe, through the rods 63' and horizontal bars 64', the springs actingto normally urge the blade frame upwardly. The blade frame supports thevertical spaced shafts 65 that move in the bearings 66 secured to thestationary bars 58".

At the lower ends of the shafts 65 are spaced blades 61 that are securedto the bars 69-, by means of the arms 66 which are shown as boltedto-the bars 69. The spaces between the blades 61 accommodate the drills16, which drills of the blade frame operate in bearings 1| that are alsosecured to the bars 69 as clearly shown by Figure 6 of the drawings.

These arms 68 extend downwardly where they are secured to the spacedblades 61 by means of the bolts 51. As shown by Fig. 6 of the drawing,the lower outer surfaces of the arms 68 are beveled as at 68 providingcams to cause the split fruit halves to tilt laterally and fall into thecups 23 for further treatment.

Secured to'the shafts 55, adjacent to the upper ends thereof, arepulleys 12, over which the belts 13 operate, the belts 13 moving overthe pulleys 31 which are mounted on the horizontal shaft 36 that ismounted in the bearings 15 secured to the super frame. The pulley.34 ismounted on one end of the shaft 36 and transmits movement to the shaft36, through the belt 35. The belts 13 are twisted, as clearly shown byFigure 2 of the drawings, so that movement from the vertical pulleys 31may be transmitted to the pulleys 12, which operate in horizontalplanes.

Extendmg rearwardly from the bar 58 of the vertically movable frame, arearms 16,, which arms are braced by means of the angle irons 11 thatextend upwardly therefrom, the angle irons 11 having their upper endsconnected with the upper movable bar 51 of the movable frame.

The arms 16 provide a support for the vertical tubular bearings 18mounted at the outer ends thereof, and in which the guide fingers 19operate, the guide fingers being so constructed and arranged that theynormally assume the position as shown by Figure 8 of the drawings.

In this position, the guide fingers will move into the depression in theblossom end of the fruit and move over the inclined surface thereof tocenter the fruit in a vertical position within the split cups orintermediate cups of the groups, so that when the blades 61 move to cutthe fruit in halves, a cut through the true center of the fruit will beinsured to insure the proper coring of the fruit, which is a step whichtakes place directly after the cutting of the fruit into halves. Thesprings 66 which are exceptionally light, and are connected with theguide fingers, act to return the guide fingers to their normalpositions, after they have been moved upwardly due to contact with thefruit passing through the machine.

Operating in front of the blades 6 and vertically movable framesupporting the blades, is another vertically movable frame which issupported by the forward pair of vertical uprights 6. This verticallymovable frame includes the upper angle bar 8|, and the lower angle bar62, which bars 8| and 82 are connected by the rods 83 that extendthrough openings formed in the angle bars BI and 82 adjacent to the endsthereof. The cross bars 84 which form a part of the frame structure, aresecured to the forward intermediate upright. 6 and are arranged invertical spaced relation with respect to each other. These bars 84provide supports for the bearing 85 through which the vertical shafts 66operate, which shafts also operate through the bearings 81 carried bythe upper angle bar 81' of the movable frame. On the upper ends of theshafts 86, are pulleys 88 that operate in horizontal planes. over thepulleys 88 are belts 89 that also operate over the pulleys 96 that aresecured to the shaft 36 that in turn is rotated by the motor 21, throughthe shaft 29, pulley 28; belt 3 I, and pulley 32 which is secured at oneend of the shaft 30; as clearly shown by Figure 2 of the drawings.Mounted on the upper bar 6| of the vertically Operating 82 of thevertically movable frame.

assaye movable frame, are rollers 9| over which the cams 92 move, thecams 92 being secured to-the shaft 50 which rotates constantly, in amanner as described.

Secured to the lower bar 82 of the vertically movable frame, anddisposed adjacent to the ends thereof are vertical rods 92 which passthrough openings in the cross bar 84 adjacent to the lower bar 82 of themovable frame. These rods 92 have connection with the lower ends of thecoiled springs 93, the upper ends of the coiled sprigns being secured tothe upper cross bar 84 by means of the rods 94 which are shown asextending through openings in the upper cross bar 84 and secured bymeans of the nuts 95. Thus it will be seen that due to thisconstruction, when the cams operate to move the movable framedownwardly, and continue their rotation, the

springs will act to return the removable frame to its normal oruppermost position.

Mounted at the lower ends of the shafts 86 are coring blades 96 whichoperate within the centering bands 91, the cutting edges of the coringblades operating slightly above the free edges of the centering bands91. Laterally extended ears 98 are formed on the centering bands 91, andaccommodate the vertical rods 99 that extend through tubular bearings Ithat are secured to the plates IllI extending from the bar Coiledsprings I62 engage the upper surfaces of the ears 98 and tend tonormally urge the centering bands downwardly to their lowermostpositions, for contact with the pears to center the pears for contact bythe coring blades 96. I I

Eccentrically connected with one end of the shaft 50, is an operatingarm I03, which arm connects with the arm I04 that is secured to thebearing I05 loosely mounted on the end of the shaft I5. Secured to theshaft I5, is a ratchet wheel I06, having the ratchet teeth I01 formed onits periphery, which teeth are engaged by ,the pawl I08 pivotallymounted at the free end of the arm I 04, as clearly shown by Figure 1 ofthe drawings.

Thus it will be seen that due to this construction, the shafts I5 and I3will be rotated with an intermittent motion, with the result that theendless chains I! and I8 together with the bars and cups connectedtherewith, will be moved intermittently, or with a step by step motion,for purposes to be hereinafter more fully described.

At one end of the machine, is a hopper I09 which is filled with thefruit to be cut and prepared for canning. 'The operator stands near thehopper, so that he can pick' the pears or fruit from the hopper andplace them in the intermediate or split cup of each group of cups, thepears being placed vertically in the cups 2|, or as near vertically aspossible. As the belt moves under the guide finger 19, the guide fingerwill move into the dimple or depression in the end of the pear at theblossom end to move the fruit to a true vertical position. The fruit nowpasses forwardly where it will, during the cycle of rotation of theendless chains which carry the cups, move to a position directly underthe blades 61. The machine is so timed that the blades will now movedownwardly cutting the pear in halves, the drill 10 of the particularblade, passing longitudinally through the fruit to remove what iscommonly known as the blossom. The halves of the fruit now fall from theintermediate cups 2| of this particular group to the lateral cups 23,the centers of the pears 6' being disposed upwardly. As the cups movetowards the discharge end of the machine, they move under the centeringbands 91 which move downwardly contacting with the inner surface of thecut fruit, moving the fruit so that the cut surface thereof will be in atrue horizontal plane. Upon further descent of the movable framecarrying the centering band, the coring blade associated therewith willmove into the fruit cutting the core therefrom. .The halves of the fruitwill now be moved to the delivery end of the machine where they may beremoved for canning.

It might'be further stated that during the preparation of fruit forcanning. it is customary in following the recognized method of preparingfruit for cannin to cut the fruit by hand into halves and then subjectthe fruit to a lye bath various requirements, without departing from thespirit of the invention.

While I have shown and described the machine for use in preparing pearsfor canning purposes, itfiis to be understood that the machine may beused with equally as good results in preparing fruit such as apples orthe like for canning purposes.

What is claimed is: e

'1. A machine for slicing and coring fruit, comprising a frame, anendless carrier mounted for horizontal movement over the frame, groupsof fruit receiving cups mounted on the endless carrier and arranged sideby side, each of the groups comprising an intermediate cup having slotsformed in the side wall thereof, and lateral shallow fruit receivingcups arranged on the endless carrier at opposite sides of theintermediate cup, pairs of vertically reciprocating halving bladesmounted on the frame operating with their side faces disposed towardsthe lateral shallow cups and being movable through said slots halvingfruit contained in the intermediate cups, a drill movable with thereciprocating blades and operating between the blades adapted to removethe center of the fruit as the blades move through the fruit, means fortilting the fruit halves laterally,

' the halves of the fruit falling into the lateral fruit receiving cups,with their core sides disposed upwardly, and coring members for coringthe fruit resting in the lateral fruit receiving cups.

2. A machine for slicing and coring fruit, comprising-a frame, anendless carrier operatin 'in a horizontal plane, mounted on the frame,said endless carrier embodying spaced chains operating in parallelrelationship, bars connecting the chains, said bars being arranged inparallel spaced relationship, groups of fruit receiving cups mounted onthe bars, each group embodying a center line of cups and lines oflateral cups disposed at opposite sides of the center line of cupsadjacent thereto, vertically movable slicing blades operating above thecenter line of cups movable through fruit held in the center cups,halving the fruit positioned within the cups. means movof the fruitlaterallyinto the lateral cup with their core sides disposed upwardly,coring blades movableinto engagement with the fruit halves resting inthe lateral cups, holding the frui-thalves therein, and centering meansmovable with the coring blades centering and holding the fruit withinthe lateral cups for coring. Y

3. A machine for slicing and coring fruit comprising a frame, an endlescarrier movable in a horizontal plane, mounted-n the frame, a-centerline of cups mounted on the endless carrier, lines of receiving cupsdisposed at opposite sides of the center line of cups adjacent thereto,halving blades operating above the carrier and movableinto; engagementwith fruit held in the center line of cups, drills carried by the bladesmovable through the centers of the fruit removing the centers of the.fruit, .sai'd blades forcing the fruit halves laterally into. thereceiving cups with the core sides of the fruit disposed upwardly,rotating coring blades operating Withinthe frame movable into engagementwith the cores of the fruithalves resting in the receiving cups coringthe fruit, and means for operating the endless carrier whereby the fruitis succes.-.

sively moved. under the cutting blades and coring blades. v

4. .A machine for slicing and coring fruit, comprising a frame, anendless carrier mounted on the frame and operating in a horizontal planethereover, a center. line of cups mounted on the-- endless carrier,lines of receiving cups mounted on the barrier at opposite :sides of the"center-line of cups and adjacent thereto, said center line of cupssupporting. fruit to be sliced, vertically movable slicing bladesmovable through the centers of the fruitheld in the center line of cupshalving the-' f-ru-it, cams mounted on the blades engaging the fruithalves moving the fruit halv es laterally into the receiving cups,rotating coring blades movable into engagement with the cores of thefruit halves coring the fruit halves, and yield'able centering bandsmovable into engagement with the fruit halves centering and holding thefruit in the receiving cups duringthe corin operation.

ESTON ALTMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the.

file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PA'IEN'I'S

